Dear Marching Band Members and Families,
I hope everyone has had a very relaxing post-camp weekend. While reflecting on this past week, I am filled with an immense amount of pride. Bravo to you all! I couldn’t be happier with where we are at right now, and I am ecstatic for what we will accomplish this fall. Make sure you get your rest, because it’s back to work on Monday!
Now we enter our last week of full day rehearsals. When school starts on September 2, rehearsals switch to 3:30 – 6:30 Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Now we start preparing for football games, competitions, and our home Field Day on September 13. We are in an excellent position to excel this season. All we need to do is BE OUR BEST.
Go Lakers!
Chad Mielens
Director of Bands
West Bloomfield High School
UPCOMING SCHEDULE (next 2 weeks)
Monday, 8/25: Jump start for 9th and 10th Grades
Monday, 8/25: Full Band Rehearsal – 10am – 4pm
Tuesday, 8/26: NO REHEARSAL
Tuesday, 8/26: Jump Start make-up day for 10th, 11th and 12th grade, Freshman Day
Wednesday, 8/27: Full band rehearsal 9am – 4pm
Thursday, 8/28: Full Band rehearsal, 9am – 4pm
Friday, 8/29: NO REHEARSAL
Friday, 8/29: Bingo, volunteer to work a shift and earn $30! Click HERE for more information
Monday, 9/1: Labor Day, NO REHEARSAL
Tuesday, 9/2: First Day of School
Tuesday, 9/2: Full Band rehearsal 3:30 – 6:30. Activities busses from Abbott and OLMS should be available.
Tuesday, 9/2: Band Boosters Parent meeting 7pm WBHS Media Center
Wednesday, 9/3: Full Band rehearsal 3:30 – 6:30
Thursday, 9/4: Full Band rehearsal 3:30 – 6:30
Friday, 9/5: Home football game vs. Troy, report 6pm.
Friday, 9/25: Bingo, volunteer to work a shift and earn $30! Click HERE for more information
SUPER LAKER OF THE WEEK
Many thanks to Band Camp coordinator Mary Ingweiller. All of the details: cabin/room assignments, menu selection, schedule, free-time activities, emergency supplies, chaperone assignments, Senior prank and initiation ritual approval, and too many more to list. All were in Mary’s capable hands. This is her final season as a band parent, and this year’s band camp was nearly flawless (can’t control the weather, after all). Great job, and though the “running band camp” shoes will be a challenge to fill next year, you have left a great example to follow. Thanks for a great experience!
JUMP START / FRESHMAN DAY
Due to the structure of jump start this year, as well as freshman day, we will change the schedule originally posted and follow this schedule for the week of 8/25:
Monday: Rehearsal 10-4.
All sophomores and freshman should attend jump start between 7am-10am. Please allow an hour to complete the process. In the past, jump start volunteers have given band members flexibility to go through the process outside oftheir scheduled times. However, if these needs cannot be accommodated, students may go to their respective jump start times and join us when they can.
Tuesday: NO REHEARSAL
All juniors and seniors should attend make up jump start. Freshman should attend freshman day in the afternoon.
FACEBOOK
So many great photos and videos from band camp have been posted on Facebook, including the EPIC completion of the ALS Ice Bucket challenge by all of our staff members! If you’ve been missing the fun, search for and join the Official West Bloomfield Marching Band facebook page. This page is not open to the public, but band members, alumni, staff, and parents are welcome to join. Additionally, you are invited to “Like Us” at “West Bloomfield Bands” facebook.com/wbbands, our public page. The Pink Day Rehearsal photos are there now, if you want to share. And this link to the photo album will even let non-Facebook people see the album: http://tinyurl.com/penzqxx
PIT CREW PARENTS NEEDED!
During the Marching Band season, parents help with loading and unloading instruments and props from our semi-truck, and getting these essential pieces onto the field before a performance. Crew Chief Brett Crawford is looking for volunteers who are interested in helping or have questions about what it entails. Please email Brett at brettnsue@gmail.com. Bonus: Pit crew members get free admission to the shows, and can view the performance from the track surrounding the field. You can’t get any close to the excitement without an instrument or flag!
MARCHING BAND HANDBOOK
If you haven’t had a chance to look at it yet, use this quiet week to go over the Marching Band handbook. There is a great deal of helpful information provided, things that will be helpful to know as the season is now underway. Uniform care, spectator etiquette – all covered in the handbook. Click HERE if you did not read it when originally emailed.
WEST BLOOMFIELD BANDS WISH LIST
West Bloomfield Bands depends on the support of parents and alumni. The list below shows items/services that West Bloomfield Bands needs to operate as well as some items that would greatly benefit our programs. Contact us by email at wbbands@gmail.com if you can donate any of the items/services listed (new or used)
Wireless Microphones (soloist) – $2,000
Painting of Truck – $1500
Sabres for Guard (7X) – $1050
New Wheels for Carts/Synth – $320
New Wireless Metronome – $250
Tires for truck (2) – $1000
Fix/Paint Scissors Lift – $700
UPS for Audio Equipment – $600
New Wheeled Base for Pit Drummer – $500
Shelves for Band Instruments – $5,000 Completed!
New Audio Equipment (Pit) – $2,000
Guard Room Updates – $500
Marching Band Uniforms/Shakos – $72,000
Drumline Room Updates – $500
EARN MONEY FOR WEST BLOOMFIELD BANDS WITH SMILE.AMAZON.COM
To get started: click HERE to register. Every time you shop, go to smile.amazon.com
KROGER CARD FUNDRAISING
If you are already a member of the Kroger Community Rewards program….make sure Band Boosters Association of West Bloomfield is your registered group.Click HERE to get started today!
If you are not yet a member, click HERE for instructions and links on how to join. Our “Organization Name” is “Band Boosters Association of West Bloomfield”
BAND MERCHANDISE
Show your Laker Pride! Go to wbbands.info/band-merchandise today! A portion of every sale goes to West Bloomfield Bands.
SCRIPS
Go to wbbands.info/fundraising/scrip-program/ and order SCRIP (gift cards). By doing so, you make money for the band and for your student’s account!
BINGO
Come on out on Friday evening to support WB Bands and play BINGO!
We also need volunteers! For every Friday you volunteer, you earn $30! The September and October Signups are up on the website. Click on the following link to sign up for a shift or two —–> wbbands.info/bingo
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
September 2: First day of School, Band Parents meeting
September 5: Home Football game vs. Troy, report 6pm
September 13: Field Day
September 19: Homecoming Parade, tailgate, football game
September 25: NO SCHOOL; Full band rehearsal 3:30- 6:30
September 26 – 27: Bands of America (BOA) Regional competition in Dayton OH
October 2: Home football game (Senior Night), report 6pm
October 11: Plymouth Canton Invitational, time TBD
October 18: Clarkston Invitational, time TBD
October 25: Lakeland Invitational, time TBD
November 1: MCBA State Finals at Ford Field, time TBD
– Next PARENT MEETING is Tuesday, September 2, WBHS
– Next BOARD MEETING is TBD (Resch
